Women’s experiences after a second-trimester diagnosis of placenta praevia or low-lying placenta: a qualitative study

Background Pregnancy complicated by a low-positioned placenta (placenta praevia or low-lying placenta) can be emotionally challenging because diagnosis at the second-trimester scan introduces a period of prognostic uncertainty regarding pregnancy progression and birth planning. Although most low-positioned placentas diagnosed in the second trimester resolve spontaneously as gestation progresses, receiving this diagnosis may create a period of unpredictability regarding pregnancy progression and antenatal and birth-related outcomes. Little is known about women’s experiences and how they navigate antenatal care, information provision, and birth expectations following this diagnosis, limiting the development of tailored counselling and support strategies. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of women diagnosed with placenta praevia or low-lying placenta at the second-trimester anatomy scan. The term “low-positioned placenta” is used to refer collectively to these conditions, given their shared early experience of prognostic uncertainty following diagnosis. Methods A qualitative study using reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to explore women’s lived experiences. Interviews were conducted between May and December 2025. Fifteen pregnant women diagnosed with a placenta previa or low-lying placenta during the second-trimester anatomy scan participated in semi-structured interviews conducted by telephone or online. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Findings We generated five main themes: (1) Anxiety, vulnerability, and fear management; (2) Counselling and information; (3) Search for reassurance and trust; (4) Adaptation and redefinition of priorities; (5) Birth expectations. Accounts were largely similar across placenta praevia and low-lying placenta at this early post-diagnosis timepoint; variation was more evident by prior reproductive history and care pathway (initial anomaly scan vs. dedicated placenta clinic). Women reported heightened anxiety, concerns about bleeding and fetal well-being, and increased vigilance regarding pregnancy progression. The diagnosis represented a pivotal emotional moment, influencing risk perception, engagement with care, coping strategies, and expectations for birth. Clear counselling and continuity of care helped women cope with early uncertainty. Conclusion Timely, consistent counselling and continuity of care, particularly through midwifery support, may facilitate emotional adjustment and mitigate uncertainty in pregnancies complicated by a placenta previa or low-lying placenta diagnosed at the second-trimester scan.